His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

Chapter

29

The sound of police sirens cut through the air. I could hear them getting closer, their lights flashing in the distance. I didn't move from my spot by the window as the

police arrived, guns drawn. They approached Nathan cautiously, assessing

the scene. The rogues, battered and

bruised, were being handcuffed and

dragged away one by one.

Nathan reached the front steps and

knocked, his hand still trembling from the

fight.

I hesitated for a moment before opening the door. Nathan stood there, bloodied, bruised, and holding the bouquet like it was some sort of peace offering. His eyes flickered to the toys scattered across the floor inside the house. They belonged to

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His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

37

Oliver. The sight of them seemed to stir something in Nathan, a brief flash of guilt crossing his face.

"-" He started, then stopped. He cleared his throat, trying again. "Doris, I'm sorry. I've been a fool. I know I messed up, and I want to make things right."

I didn't say anything, just stood there, staring at him blankly. My silence seemed to make him more desperate.

"I brought these for you," he said, lifting the roses. "I know how much you love

them."

I raised an eyebrow, the coldness in my voice unmistakable. "I'm allergic to roses.

Nathan blinked, taken aback. "What?"

"Sienna told you I loved roses, didn't she?"

I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

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His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

37

29

Nathan stammered, his confusion

growing. "Yeah, she-she said you loved them. I thought-"

bitter laugh, shaking my

"Of course she did.

day Sienna had brought me flowers when I was pregnant.

roses

in hives, my skin itching so

hadn't believed me back then, accusing

cosmetic that had

He had sided with Sienna,

always.

as he realized

didn't know," he

didn't." My voice

believed whatever Sienna told you. You've never known

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His Pleas, But Our Son's in

37

29

really,"

tightened around the boNqNet, his knuckles

am. I

I interrupted, my

"Get out of my house, Nathan,

call the police again."

widened, panic

"Doris, please"

"I said leave,"

I

for a moment longer, as

would change my

didn't soften, he

away, the bouquet

his hand. I

down the steps, his shoulders slumped in

he was gone, I closed the

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His Pleas, By

99

it,

house was a mess,

broken, the remnants

lingering in

in a long time, I felt nothing. No anger,

Just indifference.

disgusted me more than anything. He was clutching that stupid bouquet of roses like it was

everything that had

He still didn't get it.

never had.

I

the heat rising in my chest as

must've told him I liked them.